Poor Air Quality Expected In LA County This Weekend; Wood-Burning Ban Issued

LOS ANGELES, CA — High pollution prompted air quality officials to prohibit wood burning across much of Los Angeles County this weekend.

The No Burn Day alert is for all living in the South Coast Air Basin, including LA, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. It's in effect until at least 11:59 p.m. Saturday. It does not apply to mountain communities above 3,000 feet and those in the high desert.

Homes that rely on wood as a sole source of heat, low-income households and those without natural gas service also are exempt from the requirement.

"South Coast AQMD reminds residents in these areas that burning wood in their fireplaces or any indoor or outdoor wood-burning device is prohibited during the mandatory wood-burning ban," the district said.

The no burn rule prohibits burning wood as well as manufactured fire logs, such as those made from wax or paper.

"Do your part to help keep our air clean by not burning wood during the mandatory wood burning ban," they said.

No burn day alerts are mandatory in order to protect public health when levels of fine particulate air pollution in the region are forecast to be high.

"Smoke from wood burning can cause health problems," they said. "Particles in wood smoke – also known as fine particulate matter or PM2.5 – can get deep into the lungs and cause respiratory problems (including asthma attacks), increases in emergency room visits and hospitalizations."

Residents can help reduce the harmful health effects of wood smoke by signing up to receive email alerts online to learn when a mandatory no burn day alert is issued.